blog posts

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  Kate & Meghan McCurdy | Born to Teach

  Apr 10, 2023 3:15 pm1 views

  Kate and Meghan McCurdy are both Middle Grades Education majors with concentrations in mathematics from Orland Park, IL.

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  Jaclyn Wittrock | Helping All Young Minds Grow

  Apr 12, 2022 3:00 pm40 views

  "I love learning how young minds develop and better ways to teach every kind of learner!"

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  Morgan Murphy | A Childhood Dream Come True

  Sep 17, 2020 12:00 pm40 views

  Freshman Morgan Murphy has dreamed of being a teacher since childhood.

  "I love teaching children something new and exciting. Seeing their faces light up with knowledge gives me a sense of pride and happiness."

  Read more on Morgan's goals and aspirations at Illinois and beyond!

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  Melia Watson | Making the Classroom a Home

  Sep 10, 2020 12:00 pm42 views

  Junior Melia Watson explored many education paths before finding her calling in Special Education. The comfort and acceptance extended to Melia on her journey by the College of Education is something she will take with her to a future classroom of her own. For students who come from backgrounds with less opportunity, the classroom doubles as a place to call home. 

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  Rayna Zirkelbach | The Road Worth Taking

  Dec 10, 2020 3:00 pm43 views

  Transferring to a new school can be challenging, but for Rayna, the warm environment of the University of Illinois made the transition an easy one. Once Rayna was welcomed with open arms to campus, she soon found her place in the College of Education, but not how you might think. When asked about her decision to become an educator, she replied, "I didn’t know for a long time. On a whim I got a job at a daycare, and this is where I fell in love with education. I knew I wanted to do this as my career." Rayna's story is a great example that you don't have to have it all figured out right away. Sometimes the longer road is the one worth taking! 

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  Kenna Ashton | Inspired to Have a Positive Impact on Students

  Apr 5, 2022 3:00 pm46 views

  "I love how close the College of Education is and how much support is provided for students."

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  Kay Tetlak | Connecting Students to Their Community

  Oct 28, 2021 9:00 am49 views

  As a Chicago Public Schools alum, Kay Tetlak wants to give back to the school district that provided so many resources to her.

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  Anisa Chatman | Creating Positive Change

  Jan 31, 2023 2:30 pm52 views

  Anisa Chatman is a sophomore Learning and Education Studies major.

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  Lesly Ortega | "Teaching is the only path for me"

  Apr 1, 2021 3:00 pm55 views

  Junior Lesly Ortega feels that the path to teaching is the only one for her, and has felt this way since childhood. As an English major and Secondary Education minor, Lesly has enjoyed her courses in and out of the College of Education, and looks forward to returning to her high school as an English teacher as soon as possible. When she's not in class or studying, Lesly enjoys checking out the local restaurants and greeting her peer's pets on the quad.

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  Ivy Moore | Engaged In Her Community

  Feb 3, 2022 3:00 pm58 views

  "What I love about campus is that there is always something new to try."

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  Jacalyn Wingerter | Inspired by Educators

  Nov 12, 2020 3:00 pm58 views

  Everyone has a special educator that has inspired them in some way. Senior Jacalyn Wingerter draws inspiration from her English professor, Professor Pollock. She says, "He's the most enthusiastic English professor and really knows how to make any type of literature come to life!" Jacalyn hopes to bring the same enthusiasm to an English classroom of her own after graduating. This week, tell an educator in your life how they inspire you!

   

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  Jill Kartsounes | Being a Leader

  Sep 5, 2023 11:45 am67 views

  For Jill Kartsounes, being the leader came naturally. As a child, she always wanted to be the one in charge. The feeling of leading made her dream of her future classroom and career as a teacher. Now she's here at the College of Education, working to become an elementary teacher. 

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  Yudany Diaz | Everyone is Worthy of a Good Education

  Jan 26, 2022 3:00 pm70 views

  Yudany is a freshman in the College's Secondary Education minor program. Her major is History, and she's also double-minoring in Spanish. But Yudany's end goal is a becoming a school administrator, where she can affect change and progress on educational systems and help all students feel safe and be supported. 

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  Lily Greenberg | Advocating for Marginalized Students

  Sep 16, 2021 3:00 pm72 views

  Meet Lily Greenberg, an Elementary Education major who feels strongly that kids of all different backgrounds deserve a teacher who they feel represents them.

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  Kerrigan Lane | Having Fun is Crucial to Learning

  Sep 21, 2021 3:00 pm75 views

  Kerrigan is a freshman in the College's Early Childhood Education program. She's loved her own "classroom life" experience and the fun of learning in community. Kerrigan can't wait to creating a welcoming, inclusive, positive classroom environment for all her future students to grow.

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  Aranza Rico | Kindness Counts

  Nov 5, 2020 3:00 pm75 views

  Junior Aranza Rico is feeling the love from the College of Education family. These days are hard for us all, and kindness can go a long way. Aranza says the staff is "Very helpful and friendly. They care about students' mental health, especially during these times." The university has a number of mental health opportunities and resources available to those in need. 

   

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  Abby Dizon | Determined to Inspire

  Feb 4, 2021 3:00 pm76 views

  Senior Abby Dizon misses the warm, positive energy of the College of Education building most of all in these strange times. The positivity from her peers and instructors of present, all the way back to Kindergarten, have influenced her personally and professionally. When asked about her aspirations to teach in Chicago Public Schools as a Golden Apple Scholar, she replied, "I am determined to inspire students and provide them with a reason to be their best self every single day."

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  Lauren "Cal" Callahan | "We Teach Them and They Teach Us."

  Sep 15, 2022 4:00 pm79 views

  "We Teach Them and They Teach Us."

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  Haley Allen | Learning Along The Way

  Oct 1, 2020 10:00 am79 views

  Despite all of her research, trainig and studies, senior Haley Allen still felt uneasy about taking over a classroom of her own. That is, until her mentors in the College of Education taught her a very valuable lesson; you will always be learning along the way. Haley says, "Because of my instructors, I now feel prepared for the many unknowns that come with teaching young children."

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  Gwen Cox | Fueling the Next Generation

  Feb 11, 2021 3:00 pm81 views

  It's easier than ever for our vision to be fogged when thinking about future plans in a time of such unpredictability. Freshman Gwen Cox understands that the importance of education is one constant she can count on. "The next generation of students have a big impact on our future, and to have to opportunity to fuel them to have big goals and inspire them to keep learning would be an amazing experience," she says.

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  Xosa Cox | "It has always been a dream of mine to support others and understand cultures on a global scale."

  Oct 27, 2022 4:00 pm84 views

  Xosa Cox, a Learning and Education Studies Major from Chicago Heights, IL is our Student Spotlight this week.

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  Katie Barr | IEA Student of the Year

  Apr 18, 2019 10:30 am96 views

  The Illinois Education Association has named the University of Illinois’ Katie Barr as Student of the Year. Barr is currently a junior in the College of Education, majoring in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Literacy, ESL, and Spanish, while also pursuing a minor in Spanish.

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  Audrey Wong | "I want to be one of those teachers."

  Oct 13, 2022 4:00 pm99 views

  Audrey Wong is passionate about two things: biology and teaching. She decided to be a teacher after being inspired by her own high school teachers. Now at Illinois, Audrey is involved in research and has her sights set on bringing her love for biology to a new generation of students.

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  Ana Garcia | Teaching to Fulfill Part of Her Purpose

  Sep 29, 2021 3:00 pm100 views

  Ana Garcia is a Chicago native who knows that teaching young children and serving in a low-income community is part of her life's purpose.

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  Ian Copple | Loving the 'ah-ha!' Moments

  Dec 1, 2021 3:00 pm102 views

  When Ian Copple came to the University of Illinois, he knew he loved math. It took until his junior year to realize he also loved sharing his understanding with others. That's when he transferred into the Secondary Education minor program.

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  Ellen Reckamp | A Semester Abroad

  Sep 26, 2019 10:45 am103 views

  Ellen Reckamp just started her junior year as an English major, Secondary Education minor. She always knew she wanted a career that worked hands-on with other people, and with education she could really help students grow and feel empowered.

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  Mike Rotter | Illini 4000

  Sep 5, 2019 4:15 pm105 views

  Special Education Junior Mike Rotter spent his summer riding a bike across the country from New York City to San Francisco with the Illini 4000 team. Every summer the group sets out on their cross-country adventure to raise money for cancer research and support services.

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  Cyrus Murray | Changing Lanes

  Jan 31, 2023 2:30 pm106 views

  Cyrus Murray is a junior English major, minoring in Secondary Education minor. 

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  Xue Yan Chen | Research Grant for Capstone Project

  Jan 31, 2019 12:15 pm108 views

  Learning and Education Studies Senior, Xue Yan Chen received a $1,050 Undergraduate Research Support grant for her capstone project. She is working to develop an interactive prototype application grounded in the keyword method and usability testing to access effectiveness on Spanish vocabulary recall and comprehension.

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  Madison Barrera | "Always Demonstrate Care"

  Feb 25, 2021 3:00 pm111 views

  Ever since she saw the increasing need for special education teachers firsthand in her Chicago high school, sophomore Madison Barrera has been a strong advocate for inclusivity in the education system. Through her studies as a Special Education major and Speech Language Pathology minor, Madison is practicing the belief that educators have the power to make lasting positive impacts on every student. She says, "Our job is to keep all of our students in our minds with every decision and always demonstrate care for our students’ success."

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  Audrey Kermgard | Educators Shape Worldviews and Values

  Nov 9, 2022 1:15 pm111 views

  Audrey Kermgard is our featured undergraduate student in this week's student spotlight.

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  Raina Kutliroff | Finding Your Path

  Aug 27, 2020 12:00 pm112 views

  When Raina started at Illinois, she thought her fun and creative spirit meant the arts was where she belonged. But she found herself missing something in her major, eventually realizing she could use her artistic skills as a full time educator, making the College of Education her new home. Raina’s story reminds us all that as we start a new school year, it's okay to not have it all figured out. Trust yourself on your journey, and everything will work out for the best! 

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  Sara Striepling | Community, Opportunity, and Balance

  Mar 4, 2021 3:00 pm113 views

  Whether it's growing alongside her peers in her cohort, ushering a show at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, patronizing local businesses, or exploring her passion of special education, Sophomore Sara Striepling values the community she has found in Champaign-Urbana. Most of all, she appreciates the balanced life as a College of Education student, remarking "It's great to have the opportunities and experiences that come with going to a large university while still having small and personal classes." 

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  Sharon Stagaman | Finding Her Niche

  Apr 22, 2021 3:00 pm117 views

  Graduation is just around the corner for Elementary English and Spanish major Sharon Stagaman. Since watching her father become an educator in her childhood, Sharon knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps one day. But carving your own path is no small task, and Sharon credits finding her niche in the education field to the diverse learning experiences at the College of Education. "I feel really prepared to graduate with experiences at different types of schools across grade levels, and I feel so lucky that these experiences started junior year to help me solidify that teaching is what I want to do."

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  Jasmine Wong | The News-Gazette Teacher of the Week

  Mar 14, 2019 9:45 am124 views

  Elementary Education alumna Jasmine Wong was named The News-Gazette's Teacher of the Week. Jasmine is a third-grade gifted-classroom teacher at Champaign's Booker T. Washington Elementary. 

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  Amanda Navarro | Education is Powerful

  Feb 6, 2020 4:30 pm125 views

  Middle Grades Education junior, Amanda Navarro knows that education has the power to change the world— and that's why she's here.

  "Since I was younger, it was the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to give back, whether it was through my community or surrounding ones, but I knew I wanted to do it through education."

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  Jerny Walls | Interested in How Disparities Impact the Lives of Students and Teachers

  May 2, 2022 3:00 pm125 views

  "I love how supportive my classmates are, they really have helped me stay motivated during my college career."

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  Abby Lynch | "Equitable Opportunities Begin in Schools"

  Sep 29, 2022 4:00 pm126 views

  "I want to be involved in shaping the youth, and I believe education is more than just standards and schooling."

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  Erin Dickett | Valuing Students' Unfiltered Cultural Perspectives

  Nov 2, 2021 9:00 am130 views

  Middle school can be tough, but Erin Dickett says the College's new IGlobal Program helps students connect with each other around the globe. Which is inspiring for everyone.

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  Emily Crosswell | A Future Serving Students and Her Country

  Sep 12, 2023 11:45 am132 views

  Emily Crosswell is involved all over campus and Central Illinois. The sophomore from Watseka teaches with IGlobal, has studied abroad, and spends some time with the Illinois Army National Guard. She's taking her life experience and passion for people into her future classroom. Read more about Emily in this week's Student Spotlight.

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  Allie Gilbert | Realizing Her Passion for Equitable Education

  Nov 9, 2021 3:00 pm132 views

  Senior Allie Gilbert has truly made the most of her student experience while at Illinois. From her involvement in Epsilon Delta and Student Alumni Ambassadors to doing a pandemic-shortened study abroad semester in Spain, she's explored many opportunities to learn where her true passions lie. Now, she waits to hear back about her Fulbright Scholarship application—staying true to continuing to learn about herself, the world, and how to provide equitable education to her future students.

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  Mike Rotter | Illini 4000 Ride in Honor of Dr. David Zola

  Apr 4, 2019 10:30 am133 views

  Special Education Sophomore Mike Rotter is gearing up for his second summer with the Illini 4000 group. This year, his 4000 mile ride is dedicated to his first and favorite college professor: Dr. David Zola. 

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  Ryan Eleveld | Making School Feel Like Home

  Oct 6, 2022 4:00 pm133 views

  Ryan Eleveld has a passion for science and teaching. The senior Specialized Chemistry major and Secondary Education minor can't wait to get into the classroom. Learn more about Ryan in this week's student spotlight.

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  Claudia Kobylarczyk | Paying it Forward

  Sep 24, 2020 10:00 am138 views

  Senior Claudia Koblarczyk fell in love with education through her experience as a tutor. Her adoration of literature, passion as a mentor, and guidance from educators and peers has set her on the path to success. Now, she's paying it forward with plans to return to her alma mater, Reavis High School, as an English Teacher.

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  Xochitl Mondragon | Reflection and Gratitude

  May 6, 2021 3:00 pm141 views

  As the school year comes to a close, we reflect on our growth and look to the future. Elementary Education senior Xochitl Mondragon is taking this time of reflection to show her gratitude to the educators that got her where she is today. From formative years spent with outstanding grade school teachers, to the inspirational difference teachers made on her young niece, to the guidance and "pure heart" of professors in the College of Education, this Teacher Appreciation Week (and every week) we celebrate teachers. Now, as Xochtil says her goodbyes to Illinois, she prepares to join the ranks of impactful educators everywhere.

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  Nancy Lazaro | President of Golden Apple Illini

  Feb 28, 2019 12:45 pm142 views

  In middle school, Nancy had no idea what college was. But after one of her teachers inspired her to be an educator, she learned about Big Ten schools and Illinois.

  Today, Nancy is a Senior Golden Apple Scholar and president of Golden Apple Illini. She has also worked as a tutor with America Reads/America Counts.

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  Devon Jackson | A Future In ESL

  Oct 3, 2019 1:45 pm142 views

  After graduating in 2021 from Middle Grades Education with a minor in Literacy and ESL, Devon aspires to pursue a career as an on-set teacher in the entertainment industry.

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  Emily Manzo | "Thrive in Your Chosen Path"

  Feb 18, 2021 3:00 pm143 views

  Halfway through her junior year, Emily Manzo has already taught and studied abroad in Costa Rica, conducted research under three professors, and led discussions in EDUC 101, all while working toward her degree in Learning and Education Studies-Educational Equality Cultural Understanding, and minoring in Spanish and Latinx Studies. Having savored all of these experiences and more, Emily misses her time with friends at La Casa Cultural the most from her pre-pandemic days on campus.

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  Danté Studamire | Here to Support First-year Students

  Sep 8, 2021 3:00 pm143 views

  Danté Studamire knows the value of sounding boards in life. In his relatively short time here at Illinois, he can already point to a handful of mentors and faculty who are helping shape his goals, vision, and future academic pursuits. (Not to mention his Ph.D. dissertation!) This year, the Office of Minority Student Affairs has appointed Danté to serve as a mentor to College of Education first-year students who are finding their way. He's part of the College's academic advising team, and is excited to meet Education students and learn about their ideas and passions.

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  Candace Hsu | Born To Teach

  Feb 21, 2019 12:15 pm157 views

  Candace knew her purpose in life was to be a teacher from the age of seven. As a senior majoring in elementary education and minoring in speech and hearing science, she loves connecting what she learns from one field of study to another. She hopes to create a future classroom in which her students can walk in with a smile and leave feeling encouraged and empowered.